Expressions to remember (I) - Idioms

There’s an exciting new series in Focus on Learning English that’s all about idioms. What makes this series particularly interesting is that it draws its content from the beloved ‘Asterix and Obelix’ comics.

As a fan of these comics myself, I find this approach to learning both engaging and enjoyable. The series cleverly uses the humorous and adventurous tales of Asterix and Obelix to introduce and explain various idioms, making the learning process much more fun and memorable. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to enhance their understanding of idioms in a unique and entertaining way.

Here come the first idiomatic expressions, corresponding to the comic ‘The Mansions of the Gods’:

To go about one's business.
Don't count your chickens before they're hatched.
To meet one's match.
To bring to heel.
Not to see the wood for the trees.
One ship has come home.
To lay it on a bit thick.

Listen to this part

To go about one’s business: “Seguir con lo suyo”

Despite the rain, people kept going about their business.
A pesar de la lluvia, la gente seguía con lo suyo.

Don’t count your chickens before they’re hatched: “No vendas la piel del oso antes de cazarlo”

You shouldn't spend the lottery prize money yet. Remember, don't sell the bear's skin before hunting it.
No deberías gastar el dinero del premio de la lotería todavía. Recuerda, no vendas la piel del oso antes de cazarlo.

To meet one’s match: “Encontrar a su igual”

Juan always won at chess, but when he played against Maria, he met his match.
Juan siempre ganaba en el ajedrez, pero cuando jugó contra María, encontró a su igual.

To bring to heel: “Poner en su sitio”

The teacher put the disobedient student in his place.
El profesor puso en su sitio al estudiante desobediente.

Not to see the wood for the trees: “No ver el bosque por los árboles”

You're so focused on the details that you can't see the forest for the trees.
Estás tan concentrado en los detalles que no ves el bosque por los árboles.

One ship has come home: “Llegó el barco”

After months of waiting, the ship finally arrived when I received the job offer.
Después de meses de espera, finalmente llegó el barco cuando recibí la oferta de trabajo.

To lay it on a bit thick: “Exagerar”

I think you're laying it on a bit thick with your compliments towards her.
Creo que exageras un poco con tus elogios hacia ella.